Paolo Duterte calls for investigation into Bikoy’s new claims

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Davao City congressman-elect Paolo Duterte on Thursday, May 23, called for an investigation into the latest revelation of Peter Joemel Advincula alias Bikoy, who implicated opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other personalities in a supposed ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.

Paolo made the call after Advincula claimed that morning that his drug allegations against members of the Duterte family, including the former vice mayor, were all “concocted.” (READ:‘Lahat ‘yan gawa-gawa’: Bikoy recants claims vs Duterte, Aquino administrations)

In a news briefing in Camp Crame on Thursday, where he was presented to the media by the Philippine National Police, Advincula claimed that Trillanes was the one who led the ouster plot called “Project Sonoma,” with the Liberal Party and other members of the opposition.

Advincula surrendered to police on Wednesday, May 22, saying he feared for his life and that he felt he would be used as a scapegoat of the group behind the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos where he “played” the role of Bikoy.

Paolo said he had no doubt from the start that Trillanes was behind the viral video series.  

“And now that many names have also surfaced, to include Senator Risa Hontiveros and several lawyers, I believe a proper investigation is in order,” he said.

The presidential son said he knew from the start “that the Bikoy videos were fabricated with a narrative taken straight from the playbook of people whose desire is to destroy our name and our reputation” and “to crush the trust of the Filipino people in the government and the Duterte administration.”

“It was obviously designed to inspire public disgust against the government,” he added.

In a separate statement, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said, “Kung ako leader ng grupo na ito (If I were the leader of this group), I will shoot myself in the head, get rid of the brain that is not useful.”

Sara also said that “Bikoy is a scam created by people who oppose the Duterte administration” but the members of the group were “so disorganized, they cannot even get to first base because the path to their objective is in disarray.” 

Go said in a separate statement that he was not surprised by the decision of Advincula to recant his allegation. He also said  hat while he had forgiven Advincula, he would allow authorities to deal with him.

“While I urge our authorities to respect all the constitutional rights of Bikoy, I must also say that the country needs to know the whole truth,” he said. – Rappler.com